The unfortunate reality of the return of the NFL is that when players are allowed to go full speed, injuries are bound to happen. Week 4 of the NFL season was no exception. Now that fantasy football managers are updating their lineups for the coming week, several players have found themselves on the injury report, leaving their status for Week 5 in the air.
Make sure to check out our most up-to-date Week 5 NFL Injury Report to see who will be playing and who is out this week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand in terms of the fantasy football QB options dealing with an injury.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reported Bridgewater would participate in the Broncos’ practice on Thursday [October 7]. Bridgewater is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol but seems to be progressing in the right direction. He remains questionable for Week 5.
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
David Lombardi of The Athletic reports Garoppolo (calf) was not spotted on the field for Thursday’s [October 7] practice. While head coach Kyle Shanahan has not ruled Garoppolo out for Week 5, rookie QB Trey Lance took reps with the starters on both Wednesday and Thursday. The 49ers are taking a “wait and see” approach, but odds are we see the rookie make his first career start.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 5?
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site reports Edmonds (shoulder) was a non-participant at Thursday’s practice. Edmonds has yet to participate in practice this week, but he was spotted working on the side during the portion of Thursday’s session open to the media.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, McCaffrey (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and said afterward that he feels great and “definitely” has a chance to play Sunday against the Eagles. There are no better words for fantasy managers to hear after McCaffrey missed the last six quarters. If active, fantasy managers have to place McCaffrey back in their lineup — even an 80% McCaffrey is better than 98% of the NFL’s running backs.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that Montgomery has a knee sprain and is expected to be out four-to-five weeks. Expect Montgomery back in Week 11 following Chicago’s bye week. Damien Williams will be the primary back in his absence, with Khalil Herbert as the change-of-pace option.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Mixon (ankle) didn’t practice Thursday as he added his second-straight missed day, Ben Baby of ESPN reported. Therefore, his status for Friday’s practice will go a long way in determining his availability for Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
According to David Helman of the Cowboys’ official site, Elliott (knee) practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday [October 7]. Elliott was a DNP on Wednesday but appears to be in little danger of missing Week 5 and is a top-five fantasy option at RB.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
According to Aric DiLalla of the Broncos’ official site, Gordon returned to a limited practice Thursday as he deals with a lower leg contusion. Gordon is not expected to miss Week 5, barring any surprising injury update.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Swift (groin) was limited for Thursday’s practice. With that said, Swift has been listed with a groin injury since before the start of the season yet is currently the RB7 in PPR scoring.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams was limited in practice on Thursday with a hip injury. He is listed as questionable for Week 5 but is expected to play.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
According to the Packers’ injury report, Jones was a limited participant on Thursday with an ankle injury. Jones has not missed any games this season and is expected to be active for Week 5.
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Per the Colts’ practice report, Hines was a DNP on Thursday [October 7] with a shoulder injury. Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis noted that Hines indicated he suffered a shoulder injury after getting hit on a muffed punt during Week 4.
Peyton Barber, Las Vegas Raiders
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Barber has been diagnosed with a mild case of turf toe. Barker is seeking opinions and undergoing additional tests to determine a course of action and timetable for his recovery.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, Cook was in a helmet and seemed to participate in some individual drills at the portion of Thursday’s session open to the media. However, the Vikings labeled Cook as a DNP with an ankle injury on their second injury report of Week 5. Courtney Cronin of ESPN reported that Cook intends to play through his sprained right ankle Sunday versus the Lions. The risk of reinjury due to Cook coming back too soon is a genuine concern for fantasy managers.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Carson (neck) was out for the Seahawks’ Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams. However, the injury is not expected to cause a long-term absence.
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers’ official site reports Bernard (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Bernard missed Week 4 due to his MCL sprain, so back-to-back limited participation is a step in the right direction.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports Gibson (shin) was a limited practice participant Thursday [October 7]. He seems to be trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
WR Injury Update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
With a trip to London on the horizon, both Ridley (personal) and Gage (ankle) will not make the overseas trip and have been ruled out for Week 5. Atlanta’s available wide receivers will be Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe, Christian Blake, and Frank Darby.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Jamison Hensley of ESPN reports the Ravens expect Bateman (groin) to make his pro debut in Week 5. Baltimore designated him for return from injured reserve last week, which started a 21-day clock to activate Bateman to the 53-man roster.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Per the team’s injury report, Mooney (groin) was a limited participant on Thursday. Mooney is coming off his best game of the season, recording 5 receptions for 125 yards on 7 targets.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Ben Baby of ESPN reports Higgins (shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday. Higgins has missed two straight games, but his participation in consecutive practices has him trending toward a return to action Sunday against the Packers.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
David Helman of the Cowboys’ official site reports Cooper (hamstring) was limited at practice Thursday [October 7]. This is a step in the right direction as Cooper only worked out on the side Wednesday. Ther Friday injury update will be critical for his status.
Diontae Spencer, Denver Broncos
According to Aric DiLalla of the Broncos’ official site, Spencer (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Spencer was unable to practice Wednesday, so it was encouraging to see him back on the field a day later.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Parker (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on the Dolphins’ practice report Thursday. There seems to be no real concern that Parker will miss Week 5 against a surprisingly vulnerable Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Dan Salomone of the Giants’ official site reports both Slayton and Shepard were non-participants in Thursday’s practice with hamstring injuries. Both receivers missed last week’s game after suffering hamstring injuries in the first half of Week 3. It is looking increasingly unlikely either will suit up on Sunday. Both Kenny Golladay and rookie Kadarius Toney should see significant workloads in Week 5.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
According to Teresa Varley of the Steelers’ official site, Washington was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice while he deals with a groin injury. Washington didn’t have any limitations in Wednesday’s practice.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Varley also reported Claypool (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday. Claypool was ruled out ahead of Week 4, but back-to-back limited sessions have him heading in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. The Steelers could have their full complement of starting WRs back this week as both Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster logged full practices. The question is whether or not Ben Roethlisberger can take advantage of his playmakers.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site reports Jones (hamstring) did not participate in Thursday’s practice. After missing last week’s contest, Jones hasn’t taken part in either of the Titans’ two practices this week.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports Samuel did not participate in Thursday’s practice as he deals with a groin injury. Samuel appears to have re-aggravated the groin injury that has plagued him since the offseason (and led to his placement on IR). There is now serious concern regarding Samuel’s status moving forward.
TE Injury Update for Week 5
Which tight end injuries should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
On Wednesday [October 6], Washington placed Thomas on IR due to a hamstring injury. He’s ineligible for the next three games, with Week 8 at Denver being his earliest possible date for a return.
Maxx Williams, Arizona Cardinals
Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site reports Williams (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday. Williams has been a high-usage target for Kyler Murray over the last three games, hauling in all 15 of his targets for 179 yards and 1 touchdown.
Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
According to Mike Klis of 9News Denver, Okwuegbunam (hamstring) didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice. Okuwegbunam suffered his hamstring injury during Wednesday’s practice, making it increasingly unlikely we’ll see him play in Week 5.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
Per the team’s injury report, Hockenson was a limited participant in practice due to a knee injury. This was a step forward after a DNP on Wednesday, but according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Hockenson was not very active in practice on Thursday. The Friday injury update will be critical for Hockenson’s status in Week 5 for fantasy.
Tyler Kroft, New York Jets
Rich Cimini of ESPN reports Kroft (back) is out for Week 5 in the Jets’ matchup against the Falcons in London.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
According to Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee, Kittle did not participate in Thursday’s practice with a calf injury. Last week, Kittle was limited in practice and entered the game with a questionable designation, but played on 92% of the team’s offensive snaps. As we have seen in the past, Kittle will do anything to get onto the field.
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers’ official site reports Gronkowski (ribs) was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice. As a result, barring a surprising injury update, Gronkowski is likely to miss Week 5. According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Gronkowski sustained four cracked ribs, a broken rib, and a punctured lung in the Buccaneers’ Week 3 loss to the Rams.